Breaking new ground, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, successfully closed its doors on 22 October 2010 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre, attracting a record breaking, 56,645 buyers. On 115,000 sqm of exhibition space in 10 halls, nearly 2,500 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions presented their latest fabrics for ladieswear, shirtings, suitings, functional/ sportswear, casualwear and accessories collections during the four-day trade show. A great range of fabrics were displayed from denim, lace and embroidery to cotton, jersey and wool plus many more fibres.

“The results speak for themselves - 90 percent of our exhibitors are pleased with their participation. It just goes to show that Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is the leading meeting place for all major buyers and trade associations from around the world. It has been a solid performance and we hope that it will continue as China's textile sector still has room to develop," said Ms Wendy Wen, Trade Fair Director for Messe Frankfurt HK Ltd.

Exhibitors also underlined the growing importance of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics as confidence in the Chinese textile industry sector continues to rise. “We decided to launch Nylgold here as we know that all of the main brands and producers attend. It is a key show for us and we have seen a very good response to our products this week,” commented Mr Raul Gonzalez, Head of Marketing and International Strategic Development for Spanish based Nylstar SA, which launched its revolutionary new luxury fibre Nylgold that features 24-carat gold nanostructures.

Among some of the attending brands and buying offices were: Benetton, Bridgestone Sports, Burberry, Charles Vogele (Switzerland), Chico's, Columbia, Crocodile, Dewhirst (UK), E. Land (Korea), Eddie Bauer, Esprit, Gap International Sourcing Ltd, Guess? Inc, Hugo Boss, Leverstyle, Mango, Mast Industrial (HK), The North Face, Perry Ellis, Pierre Cardin, Ports, PVH, Quiksilver, Sixty SpA (Miss sixty, Energie), Vaude and Wacoal plus many more.

The diverse mix of attendees from around the world confirmed that serious business was made at the fair. “This fair has opened a new window of opportunity for my company,” said Mr Saidmon Isomaddinov, Director for Sultonov Co, Tajikistan, one of the special buyers invited to participate this year. He added: “I am already negotiating with several suppliers and even made an advance payment for fabrics that have been planned for shipment next month.”

Participating suppliers were just as international as the buyers attending. The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council helped to organise this year’s debut India country pavilion, which grouped several silk producers together. “We have met with many good international and Chinese garment makers and even managed to conduct business on-site. Next year, we plan to bring more silk suppliers to expand our exhibiting area,” said Mr S. Venkatramani, Assistant Secretary for the council.

The world’s leading fibre groups including Cotton Council International, Hyosung, Invista and Lenzing were also represented at the fair and showcased various materials suitable for functional/ sportswear, casualwear and even childrenswear.

Visitor, Ms Stephanie Lollichon, a childrenswear and ladieswear designer for French brand, Petit Bateau praised the range of products on offer. “The show is amazing; it showcases all kinds of fabrics under one roof and leaves me an extended space to select from.”

Strong focus on premium collections

Luxury shirtings and suitings fabric producers from Germany, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and the UK were also on hand to showcase their premium collections. Ms Joana Do Bem, Managing Director HK Office for Somelos Tecidos SA, a Portuguese shirtings fabric supplier added: “It is a really good business strategy to be here. The fair is well-known and I have met with clients from not only China and Asia-Pacific but Argentina, Thailand and the US.”

“There is a huge offer available and the show has become much more international,” noted Mr Mauro Bellini, Marketing Manager for fine, Italian menswear fabric producer, Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna & Figli S.p.A. He further commented: “Visitor quality is much better and the show is improving as well.”

To reflect the new Japan brand image at the fair, exhibitors in this special country pavilion increased their exhibition space by 80 percent. Ms Yuko Watanabe, International Coordinator for JFW-Japan Creation, expressed her happiness with this expansion. “The energy here is amazing. Buyers’ reaction to the Japan pavilions’ new image has been great. I am simply in awe of the constant development here.”

Equally as impressed was ladieswear exhibitor, Creations Robert Vernet. “Even competitors know this fair is the place to be. Before we had to teach the market on selling design copyright but now buyers understand the process so they are looking to understand fashion trends,” said Mr Benoit Feder, a representative for the French textile design house.

Recognising the growing importance on trends in the Chinese market, for the first time, this year’s event featured a global overview of colour and fashion trends from China, Italy, Japan, Germany, Korea and the UK as well as the Intertextile Directions trend forum, which highlighted the coming Autumn/winter 2011-12 forecasts. Countries not only displayed regional trends but also hosted design and trend seminars on-site.

Other topics of high interest included an accessories and trim technology seminar programme, hosted by top leaders Avery Dennison, Freudenberg & Vilene, Gunzetal, Swarovski and YKK as well as several product presentations and brand workshops.

Mr Peter S. Wu, AETS Manager Asian Area for Dow Corning Taiwan Inc, one of the brand presenters this year also enjoyed a successful week. “We have been exhibiting here for many years now and found that this is a great platform to not only meet new buyers but promote our brand as well.”